Don't Let The Sleeve Put You Off!

Set The Tone - Shiftin Air Affair [ILPS 9736 UK 1983 24-Bit FLAC]

Set The Tone were a Glaswegian pop-funk-dance quartet formed by former Simple Minds drummer, Kenny Hislop (also involved with The Skids and Slick). They were snapped up by Island Records during 1982, but after no mainstream success with a trio of great singles Rap Your Love, Dance Sucker and Prove It, the album Shiftin' Air Affair flopped as well. Set The Tone were subsequently never heard of again, though Hislop and bassist were to become the One O'Clock Gang.

With a sound close to Quando Quango, Tom Tom Club and Wham(!), Set The Tone were deemed way ahead of their time, mixing electro-pop melodies, funk bass and dubby riffs with hard funk drum machine beats. Start The Bus could be suggested as a lost eighties dance floor gem. As I said at the top, don't let the sleeve put you off!

A1 Rap Your Love
A2 All Tied Up
A3 Prove It
B1 Skin Me
B2 Start The Bus
B3 Grind